Means for operating the picker-staffs of looms



(No Model.)

A. MUROH. MEANS FOR OPERATING THE PIGKER STAFPS 0F LOOMS.

,453. Patented July 5, 1.892.

THE norms Farms 00., PNUTO'L UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED MURCH, OF WEST FITOHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS.

MEANS FOR OPERATING THE PlCKER-STAFFS OF LOOMS.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters'Patent No. 478,453, dated July 5, 1892.

Application filed December 3, 1891- Serial No. 413,908. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALFRED MURCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at West Fitchburg, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Means for Operating the Picker-Staffs of Looms; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to means for operatin g the picker-staffs of looms, and is designed to supersede the sweep-stick, sweep-strap, and power strap now generally employed.

The object of the invention is to provide simple and improved means for the purpose mentioned of such construction as will impart greater strength and durability and which will also possess advantages in point of inexpensiveness and general efficiency.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of parts of a loom, illustrating the application of my invention. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the operating means detached. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view on the line :0 m, Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a detail perspective view of the sliding sleeve.

Corresponding parts in the figures are denoted by the same letters of reference.

Heretofore picker-staffs have been generally operated by the employment of sweepsticks, sweep-straps, and power-straps. Such operating means is, however, defective and objectionable, for the reason that, being constructed of wood and leather, it is liable to continual breakage, thus occasioning delay and damage to the cloth. To obviate these defects and to provide strong'a'nd durable means for the purpose intended is the office of my present invention.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the picker-staff, which may be of any suitable construction or material and preferably rectangular in cross-section, and B the power crank-arm. Mounted upon and adapted to be secured to the picker-staff by a screw S is a metallic sleeve 0, conforming to the contour of thestaif. lhe sleeve 0 is provided at opposite sides and at about its center with an outwardly-projecting trunnion c. Trunnionsc c are also provided upon the sleeve below the trunnions 0, thus forming an intermediate space 0 0 D designates an approximately-U-shaped yoke constructed of metal and adapted to embrace the sleeve 0 between the trunnions c and c. The yoke D is connected at its closed end with the crankof the power-shaft by means of a rod E, said rod being pivoted to the end of the crank. To enable the yoke to operate the picker-staff through the medium of the power-shaft, a pin or bolt F is secured transversely to the free ends of the yoke, thus inclosing the sleeve 0 within the latter, said pin being adjustable longitudinally with relation to the yoke, whereby the length of stroke of the picker-stall is regulated. To this end a second pin or bolt G is also adjustably secured to the members of the yoke at the opposite side of the sleeve 0.

I claim as my invention 1. As an improvement in looms, the combination, with a picker-staff, of asleeve mounted thereon and provided at opposite sides with two outwardly-projecting trunnions, a yoke embracing said sleeve between the trunnions, transversely-disposed pins or bolts connecting the members or" the yoke in front and in rear of the sleeve, said pins or bolts being adj ustable longitudinal-1y with relation to the yoke, and means for reciprocating said yoke, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. As an improvement in looms, the hereindescribed means for operating picker-staffs, consisting of a sleeve adapted to be disposed upon a picker-shaft and provided at opposite sides with two outwardly -projecting trunnions, a yoke for embracing said sleeve between the trunnions, transverse pins or bolts disposed at opposite ends of the yoke and longitudinally adjustable with relation thereto, and an operating-rod projecting from'the yoke and adapted to be connected with a powershaft, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- ALFRED MURCH.

Witnesses:

ALBERT E. HUDSON, 'BARTHOLOMEW' J OSLIN. 

